It’s a somber time here in New York. With all of the 10th anniversary preparations underway for this Sunday, it’s hard not to get caught up in the emotion that seems so raw again. 10 years later.

I’ve been thinking alot about my life a decade ago.

Looking back now, 9-11 brought a clarity to my life. I was living in Houston, Texas. I was on the air that morning, doing my radio show with my partner Mike. We were wrapping up our shift, when someone came in and told us to look at the television screen. News bulletins were coming in by the second on my computer. We were trying to deliver the news to our listeners and at the same time figuring out in our own minds what the hell was going on. Why were there airplanes going into buildings? Is this really happening?

Meanwhile, my future husband was rushing back to his firehouse on the Upper West Side of Manhattan to get his gear on and hitch a ride on an EMS truck to try and help his fellow firefighters who were on their way down to the Trade Center. Sean had the day off, and had gone to get his drivers license renewed. (His license would read 09/11/01 for several years). Once he found out what had happened, he immediately went down to try and help. He arrived just as the second tower fell. He spent the rest of the day, then weeks, trying to find his friends, coworkers, and brothers. 12 of them didn’t make it out alive.

A few weeks after 9-11 I made a huge life change. I decided to pack my bags and leave Houston. I left a great job and very close friends to go back home to Canada. Why did I leave? Well, back then I just felt I needed to figure out my life. I was 31 and had recently had my apartment broken into. I felt disconnected. There was something truly “missing” in my life. I just couldn’t figure out what it was.

So I went back home – lived with my mom for a little while and got a job with a local radio station. A few months went by, when a co-worker of mine told me about a job opportunity he saw and thought I would be good at. It was for a radio station here in New York as a news editor/reader and entertainment reporter for a very well known personality. I laughed, and said there is no way I would ever even get an interview for such a job. But, I decided what the heck – I would send my resume and tape for the fun of it.

A few days later I got a call back from the program director at WFAN here in New York. He asked if I could come for an interview and audition. I got the job, amazingly.

I packed up my stuff again and moved to New York. I couldn’t believe my luck. But I also wondered why on earth I had even been considered for such a job?

Looking back now, I realize that it wasn’t the job that brought me to New York. It was the man I was destined to meet a few months later….

It was September 2002. Exactly a year after 9-11. I was moving to New York City to start a new life, and begin my true path to happiness.

So how did I meet Sean? Another amazing story. Back home in Canada, my girlfriend Lianne and her husband Tony had gotten back from their honeymoon in Hawaii. She called me after they got back because she had just met this wonderful firefighter named Sean while they were on their trip. He was on a hike that day with them, and they got to know each other on the trail. They had dinner together, and Lianne had asked him for his email to eventually pass on to me. She urged me to contact him. I told her I was too over my head with work, trying to find a place to live, and generally wondering why the heck I had done such a crazy thing with my life. She kept telling me I needed to meet him. There was just something about him. Sean later told me he went to Hawaii to live out a life -long dream for him after a year of hell. He went by himself to surf the waves of Hawaii. The day he met Lianne and Tony, the surf was too dangerous, so he had decided at the last minute to go on a hike instead. Another moment of fate.

So I reached out to him, and we decided to meet. We had breakfast together in December of 2002. And the rest, they say, is history.

I am a firm believer in destiny and fate. If 9-11 had not happened, I doubt very much I would’ve had the urge to change my life. And when my husband sometimes wonders why he was spared that day when the rest of his brothers died, I tell him it’s because we were meant to be together. Our two boys were meant to be born. I sometimes wonder if our boys are destined to do something great in their lives. I hope so.

Sunday my husband and I will be at his old firehouse to remember the families, the friends and his comrades that for some reason were taken from us that day 10 years ago. I feel so blessed for my life, my husbands and the children we share. Those men and women that died are now angels that continue to watch over us and guide us along the path of life.

As I look back 10 years ago, I am filled with so much emotion. It is certainly a sad and horrific day in our Nation’s History. But for many of us, it was a big turning point. A wake-up moment to do something better with out lives. To live it to the fullest. Yesterday’s history. Tomorrow’s a mystery. Today is all we have.

Hug the ones you love. Hug them tighter this weekend especially. I know I will.

40 Comments

pjman

Good morning all we just got about 10 drops of rain. Yea ha ha It is 80 right now going up to 100. They say tomorrow the high will be 80. I cant wait. Don I think all the fireman went up stairs in honor of those lost on 9/11. I know they did in TX. I think that was great of them. Hope all are having a good hump day and are well. Stay safe. PJ

September 14, 2011 at 8:36 am

DoloresFromOK

Oklahoma is forecast to get 50% chance of rain tomorrow and Thrusday
and temps in the mid 60's an thrusday.A nice,slow,soaking rain would be nice. When was the last time any of you visited with grown
grandchilden and realized how smart they are? I had the chance to
that this weekend at my grandson's engagement party. Most interesting
conversation about current events,their schooling,what's ahead for
them in the next ten years. They seem to have it together,even with
all the turmoil.

September 13, 2011 at 5:01 pm

JB in Texas

We may get a high back to under 100 in a few days. It's funny how 94 can feel cool when it has been 103+ for quite a while. Hope all are doing well. A reminder for all: National Procrastination Day was August 10. I meant to announce that earlier, but never got around to it! Take care all, JB

September 13, 2011 at 3:47 pm

Margie Gacki

Great, now we're getting spam on this thread. Hi folks, I just thought I'd say hello so you don't see the spam the first thing. I have to finish getting ready for work so I'll just wish everyone a great day! Margie

DoloresfromOK

Thank you,AJ for responding to my story,that was a harrowing day for
Oklahoma and the country,and when I learned later in the morning,
about Ted,my legs grew very weak and I had to sit down,then I
kneeled and thanked God,he did'nt go down the fatefull Morning.He just learned he's to a grandfather for fifth time,Daughter to have baby in April.He has 4 granddaughters,so you know what he's hoping for.Amanda has Lupis,so she a high risk so prayers from blogger family is appreciated.Thanks all.

Margie Gacki

Good grief, now we have people complaining about the Fox News coverage of the 9/11 anniversary. Why on earth do people complain on a weather blog about news coverage? They really need to get a life. I think Fox is doing a great, sensitive job with the coverage. Janice, I've been praying for Sean and all the other firefighters as they deal with all the painful memories. God bless all those who serve. Margie

JB in Texas

JD, Thanks for sharing such a heart warmimg and true story with us. Even a craggly old curmudgeon like myself felt a little twinge. BG, a very Happy 47th Anniversary wish to you and the missus. PJ, be careful wearing a Jets jersey around town today! A special thanks to all who serve and keep us safe. May we never forget 9/11. JB

jdlittle

pjman

I just wanted to say thank you to all that were there on 9/11 to our Troops and all that have suffered. This is a somber day and we will never forget what was done to us and what was done for us. THANK YOU TO ALL !!!!! PJ

September 11, 2011 at 9:26 am

Colette DeLeo

Beautiful story! I was just watching the memorial on FoxNews television, and was disappointed to see that they were not tuning in on family reading the names of lost loved ones, the whole time. NBC carried the WHOLE thing, with names AND pictures of the ones who lost their lives that day, without interruption. Fox News kept reflecting/commentating on the news of that day. TODAY's 10 year memorial is to honor those whose lives were lost. I was very disappointed in FOXnews for this.

pjman

BGinTX.

Thank you,Thank you JD for sharing your beautiful story. Made me tear as I read it.Praying for those families that lost their ones and also for you and your family.Things not just happen,but it was the will of God that joined you and Sean together and have your two precious little boys.May you live many more years together.This Monday,my wife and I will be celebtating our 47th anniversary. I will be out next to spend time together and thank God for these beautiful years together.By to all.

DoninRichmond

Sarah

I love love love watching you & reading your blog, Janice, though I don't usually comment here, but that story made me cry (happy tears). Thank Sean for what he does every day and thank you for showing something positive that came out of such a horrible day in our lives.

September 10, 2011 at 1:19 am

Frankie

Thank you for sharing your story - Please tell Sean that in GA we are remembering not only all the firefighters that lost their lives but their comrades that worked so hard to find them. What they did that day will never be forgotten. His sons will be so proud to call him dad.

September 9, 2011 at 8:34 pm

DoloresfromOK

Hi everyone,JD what an interesting story,and fate entered and history
was made.You have been blessed with a beautiful and healthy family.
All our prayers are with your husband and his friends,remembering that fateful day. Just as I feel blessed on the day of the bombing in
OKC. My son was to meet his accountant at 9 that am,in that building.
His accountant called Ted and told him to meet him at 11 instead.
That change in time saved my son's life.Fate intervened.You all take
care ,Dolores.

aboutthis blog

Janice Dean joined FOX News Channel in January 2004 and currently serves as Senior meteorologist. She is a member of the American Meteorological Society and was awarded the AMS Seal of Approval in 2009. Dean is the author of the forthcoming children's book, "Freddy the Frogcaster" (Regnery Kids) which will be published in August. You can also follow Janice on Twitter.